Ocean State providers among nation’s best

  A: Rhode Island’s home health care services have definitely expanded in recent years, but the requirements for Medicare certification are stringent. You’ll be glad to know that the results of home health measures released by Medicare last fall show that Rhode Island is scoring better than the national average on most of the quality indicators measured by Medicare. If you want to see how a particular provider scored, visit Medicare.gov/homehealthcompare/search.asp.
  Q: When is it appropriate to receive rehabilitation services at home versus a rehabilitation center? ~ Irene C., East Providence
  A: The answer depends on your needs. Some conditions require extensive therapy that is best accessed in a center that has all the equipment and staff needed 24/7. However, thousands of people receive in-home rehabilitation following a hospital or post acute stay, which helps them regain full, or at least maximum, functioning. The best advice I can give you is to defer to the direction of your doctor. The physician and/or a hospital discharge planning staff should be able to conclude if you would be a good candidate for home-based rehabilitation of if your needs require the extensive therapies offered by rehabilitation centers. Many people require both. 
  Q: With all the talk about changes to Medicare, I’m getting worried about how my potential future health care needs will get paid for. I don’t have long-term care insurance, but I’m wondering if I should look into it. I’m almost 60 now so I’m worried the cost will be high. Does it typically cover all services such as home care? ~ Susan S., Smithfield
  A: Planning for your own health care needs is always prudent and while the sooner, the better, it’s never too late. For peace of mind, long-term care insurance is a good option, but policies vary so it’s important to be very clear on what they will and will not cover and what any co-payments might be. There is long-term care insurance to cover just about every conceivable service, including home care. Some policies cover companion care as well. Talk to a few agents to determine who has the best fit for you and your budget.


David DiFilippo is the owner of Concord Home Health Services, which specializes in in-home personal assistance such as errands and medication management, as well as skilled nursing services and rehabilitation. Submit questions to kparkcompass@trmcomm.com.